Prehistorical Obsidian Sources in the Island of Lipari (Aeolian Islands)

Aeolian Islands' Lipari reveals critical insights into Neolithic obsidian sourcing, with implications for Mediterranean trade and community mobility. The study identifies distinct geological characteristics of Lipari's obsidian flows, providing a foundation for reconstructing prehistoric supply chains. Through fission track dating of artifacts and radiocarbon analysis of paleo soils, researchers established precise chronologies for obsidian sources, shedding light on Neolithic extraction techniques and inter-island movement patterns. This dual-method approach offers unprecedented resolution in tracing raw material diffusion across the Mediterranean, challenging assumptions about Neolithic resource management.

Martinelli, M. C., Coltelli, M., Manni, M., Bonizzoni, L., Guglielmetti, A., Oddone, M., & Balestrieri, M. L. (2020). Prehistorical Obsidian Sources in the Island of Lipari (Aeolian Islands). Open Archaeology, 6(1), 393–402. https://doi.org/10.1515/opar-2020-0119